53rd Pete Hodgetts Handicap

23/03/08
See Club Challenges page for a history of Handicap races.

Stafford Half

16/03/08
The weather relented, so on a cool morning, with a bit of a breeze, 61 Harriers toed the line in the centre of Stafford to tackle this fairly hard course around Stafford. With nearly 1300 runners the start was very crowded, but for runners that are new to running, it meant they couldn’t go off to fast.
Chris Hollinshead enjoyed a good run, finishing in 2nd place, only one second off his personal best, but getting a PB since joining Stafford Harriers. Next two Harriers were Mike Saint-Dunn and Tom Hobbins both getting PB’S , next was Paul Douglas finishing as 2nd M55.
Other good runs came from, Michael Down PB, Keith Skelton PB, Mark Cooper first half, Sereca Atherton 3rd L35, and all the others who gained PB’s or completed their first half marathon, Some very impressive runs, hope they carry on running and so improving, and in turn enjoy their running.

Fradley 10k

09/03/08
Two Harriers sneaked off to Fridley near Lichfield to do a 10K instead of the Stafford 20. They were Dave Marsden finishing in 84th 42-51 6th M50, and Neil Oldfield 221st 49-21. 527 finished.

Stafford 20

09/03/08
Twenty-six Harriers took part in this year’s Stafford 20, in typical bright’n’breezy conditions. (There was always the threat of rain but it never materialised). First home for the Harriers in fine style was Chris Hollinshead, taking the Silver Medal in the M40 categoryof the Staffordshire Championships. Paul Douglas won the Gold Medal in the M55 category, whilst Bernard Wilkes did likewise in the M50 category. Meanwhile, newcomer Mike Saint-Dunn made his presence felt with an excellent PB time of 2:14:50. Nathaniel Williamsof North York Moors won the race in 1:52:39, whilst Ruth Watchorn-Rice of Cheadle RC was ladies winner in 2:17:15.

Cloud Nine Hill Race

02/03/08
Three Harriers travelled up to Congleton, to run this tough race, which takes you all the way up the big hill called the Cloud. Tom Hobbins had a very good run to finish in 26th in a time of 1-05-05, with two ladies doing well with Sue Johnson in 174th in a time of 1-26-39 and Lydia Atkins in 206th 1-34-09, 240 finished.

Action Heart 5mile

24/02/08

Three Harriers travelled to the Black Country, to run this popular 5 miler, with Chris Skellern in 171st in a time of 38-21 and was 1st L45, with Paul Ivanavicius 393rd 44-42 and John Hateley 580th 57-15. 740 finished.

Ennstone 7mile

17/02/08

Two Harries travelled to Telford, with Sara Houlton finishing in 93rd in a time of 54-35, and John Hateley 179th 68-47, 194 finished.

Stourbridge Stagger

03/02/08

Four Harriers travelled to Stourbridge, to run this mostly off road race, with Tom Hobbins in 17th place having a good run in a time of 1-10-04, with Keith Skelton 70th 1-19-42, Brian Langston 208th 1-32-52 and Jane Bisiker 254th 1-38-19. 384 finished. A word of caution, as with a lot of races in this area, they don’t have entries on the day.

Four Villages Half, Cheshire

20/01/08

On a good day for running, eleven Harriers tackled this very popular race, with Pete Sarson first home for the club, in a time of 1-26-49 2nd M60, with Michael Saint-Dunn the only other harrier to break 90 minutes.

Harriers placings were:

Pete Sarson set a new Club Age Group best time.

Trig Points Race

Cannock Chase – 15/01/08

Around 160 brave and hardy runners set out from Brocton on Cannock Chase on a wet and cold Sunday morning to take on the Cannock Chase Trig Points Race. Competitors had to find their way around the Chase and be checked off at several different points as they ran the 15 or so miles. Navigation was left up to each individual runner, but they had to visit the check points in the correct order before crossing the finish line back at Brocton. Harriers placings: